Crabtree likely to return
Manuel could have injured wide receiver back as prime target
ALAMEDA, Calif. — EJ Manuel should have an asset in Week 5 not afforded to Derek Carr in Week 4.
Michael Crabtree is trending toward a return.
Raiders coach
Jack Del Rio said Wednesday that he is optimistic the wide receiver will play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Crabtree missed Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Denver Broncos with a chest injury. Carr suffered a transverse process fracture to his lower back, so Manuel will start at quarterback for at least the upcoming game.
Del Rio gave a quick response when a reporter asked if he was optimistic about Crabtree’s availability this week.
“Yes,” he said.
Crabtree practiced on Wednesday afternoon. Despite the missed game, he has caught three of the Raiders’ seven passing touchdowns this season. His 170 yards are tied with tight end Jared Cook for the team lead. His 13 receptions rank second behind Cook’s 16.
Cooper adjusts for Manuel
If Amari Cooper is to begin a resurgence this weekend, he’ll start with at least one adjustment.
The Raiders wide receiver sees a difference between Manuel and Carr in how they deliver the football, he said Wednesday. Part of his focus this week will be devoted toward acclimating to the change.
“All quarterbacks throw a little bit different,” Cooper said. “I think EJ throws the ball a little bit harder. I’ll have to adjust to that. … I try to get in some extra passes with him after practice, some balls before practice so that I can get kind of acquainted with the way he throws the ball.”
It has not been the start to the season that Cooper or the Raiders envisioned.
He has caught 12 of 31 targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. According to Pro Football Focus, 19 of his targets were catchable. His seven drops lead the NFL. In the past two weeks, Cooper has totaled three catches for 15 yards. Statistically, it was the least productive two-game stretch of his career.
In his past 12 regular-season games, he has 43 catches for 476 yards and four touchdowns, without a 100-yard outing during that span.
Notable
■ The Raiders glided through the first quarter of the season relatively unscathed on their practice-week injury report. Those days are over. Right guard Gabe Jackson (foot), defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (back), cornerback Gareon Conley (shin) and Carr did not practice Wednesday.
■ Four others were limited participants − cornerback David Amerson (concussion), Crabtree, Cooper (knee) and running back Deandre Washington (hamstring).
Contact reporter Michael Gehlken at mgehlken@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Gehlkennfl on Twitter.